Christmas markets:
Christmas is a big seller for river cruise lines and some of the continent’s best markets are best reached by boat. Jeannine Williamson finds out more
Why the festive period is best seen from the river
The smiling stall holder beckons me towards his flaming concoctions but I’m not quite brave or cold enough to try ‘feuerzangenbowle’.
It’s a fiery German mulled wine involving a rum-soaked piece of sugarloaf which is floated on the top and set alight.
Instead I settle for a warming glass of regular glühwein and, like many visitors, forfeit the €3.50 deposit and keep the colourful mug to take home as a souvenir.
All around the square there are hundreds of twinkling lights lining the wooden huts and behind is the shadow of Cologne’s landmark twin-spired cathedral, or ‘Dom’. It’s arguably the most impressive of the city’s six Christmas markets, but as we’re moored overnight I’ve got plenty of time to discover the others.
The festive ambience is further enhanced by the aromatic, spicy scents filling the air around the tempting gingerbread and food stands. Further on I stop to buy some charming wooden toys that remind me of my childhood – and don’t need batteries or a degree in rocket science to make them work – along with handmade decorations and handicrafts that will make unique gifts to take home.
Festive departures
Christmas markets are the highlight of Europe’s winter calendar, with their roots based in history and tradition. The main heartland is Germany, but they can be found throughout neighbouring countries too.
River cruises are a fantastic way
“Demand for our festive itineraries is showing no signs of slowing down, with Christmas market sailings selling out in the last
few years”
David Winterton, Global Brand Curator, Emerald Waterways
to visit them as ships moor in the centre of towns and passengers can soak up the magical atmosphere within minutes of stepping ashore – and don’t far to carry their shopping.
Janet Parton, Director of Sales for Avalon Waterways, which is adding more festive sailings, said: “These cruises are hugely popular, which is why it’s very important for customers to book as early as possible, guaranteeing their preferred departure and stateroom. Christmas Time on the Danube, from Prague to Vienna, is our best-selling winter cruise this year and we still have some 2018 departures available.”
Riviera Travel is also responding to demand. Katja Hildebrandt, Head of River Cruises, commented: “Following the popularity of our Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise, this year we introduced the new Danube’s Imperial Cities and Yuletide Markets itinerary which covers Budapest, Vienna and Bratislava in one trip, with departures available from London, Dublin, Bristol and Manchester.”
AmaWaterways is reporting a yearon-year sales increase. James Loizou,
Sales, Marketing and Digital Director, added: “Guests are wanting to get into the festive spirit earlier and earlier, so having our programme start in the final week of November and run into the new year gives ample opportunity to find a date and river that suits them.”
Tinsel-tastic ideas
Festive coffee break: The bustling Drosselgasse street is the retail heart
of the German wine-making town of Rüdesheim and a great place to buy presents. When it’s time for a break head to one of the many cafes selling Rüdesheimer coffee, a wickedly rich mix of coffee, brandy, sugar, whipped cream and dark chocolate.
Enchanting crib: The fairy-tale market at the Volksgarten gardens in Linz features Austria’s largest wooden crib with life-size, hand-painted figures. Every 30 minutes, from 15.00 to 20.00, there is a short nativity play with special effects and a classical music soundtrack. Amazing advent calendar: For more than 15 years, quaint Gengenbach, near Strasbourg, has turned its town hall into a giant advent calendar. Twenty-four windows are decorated with a Christmas scene, with a new one revealed each night until Christmas Eve. Excursions to Gengenbach are offered on Basel to Amsterdam sailings.
Chocolate Christmas cake:
Sachertorte, the mouth-watering chocolate cake lined with apricot jam, was created in Vienna in 1832 and the original recipe is served in Hotel Sacher’s cafe. It can be bought in various sizes to take home and lasts for up to a fortnight, making it a great alternative to a traditional Christmas cake.
Seasonal sausages: Nuremburg’s Christmas market dates back to the 16th century and is one of Europe’s oldest. When you’ve worked up an appetite shopping, try the city’s famous sausages, which are much smaller than traditional German wurst. In most restaurants you’ll be asked if you want six, eight, ten or more!
What’s new
Amadeus River Cruises’ (amadeus-rivercruises.
com) new flagship Amadeus Queen, which has the line’s first indoor pool, is sailing on a Passau round-trip cruise on December 22 with prices from £1,829pp and reduced supplements for singles.
Riviera Travel (rivieratravel.co.uk) has introduced the five-night Danube Imperial Cities & Yuletide Markets itinerary visiting Budapest, Vienna and Bratislava, priced from £879pp with flights from eight regional airports.
Scenic (scenic.co.uk) has introduced a seven-night Rhine and Danube sailing from Nuremburg to Budapest which includes a gingerbread baking class and visits to Christmas markets in Regensburg and Vienna.
U by Uniworld (ubyuniworld.com/uk), the new brand for the ‘young at heart’, offers the seven-night Dashing Through the Danube and four-night Merry Little Christmas sailings from £1,899 and £1,299 respectively on its ships The A and The B.
APT’s (aptouring.co.uk) 14-night Imperial Europe cruise between Amsterdam and Vienna, from £2,795pp, now features a fully-inclusive festive-themed itinerary including private festive concerts and local customs such as a traditional Krampus mask show in Salzburg.
AmaWaterways will be decorating its ships and enhancing Christmas itineraries with garlands on every cabin door, carol singing and a visit from Santa, with presents for each passenger.
Avalon (avaloncruises.co.uk) is expanding its festive cruise portfolio for 2019 and will offer 16 winter river sailings on the Rhine and Danube.
Tourism talk
“A river cruise is the ideal way to discover the festive gems of
Europe’s Christmas markets, and a great way of enticing first-time river cruisers. Who can resist those twinkling lights in city squares, crammed with festive goodies to eat, drink and buy for friends and family? Plus, you’re not limited to one city’s markets. A cruise on the Rhine or Danube means multiple stops at markets in historic cities like Cologne, Budapest and Vienna. A great chance to get Christmas shopping done, sampling a few glühweins along the way! Andy Harmer, Senior Vice-President Membership, CLIA UK & Ireland
Where to book it
CRYSTAL RIVER CRUISES
– 020 7399 7601
Seven-nights, Vienna to Budapest on
Crystal Ravel, visiting Krems, Spitz, Melk and Bratislava, is from £3,055pp departing December 6, including meals and drinks on board, butler service, a choice of excursions in each destination, tips and overseas transfers. crystalcruises.co.uk
CROISIEUROPE - 020 8328 1281
The three-night Christmas Magic roundtrip Paris itinerary on the hotel barge
MS Raymonde is priced from £532pp cruise-only, departing November 29 and December 3 2018, including all meals and drinks on board and excursions.
croisieurope.co.uk
“Christmas market itineraries tend to be short so give a great introduction to river cruise and its most
popular destinations” Tim Fleming, Sales and Business Development Manager,
The River Cruise Line